Darth Mingus

I got mine today from NY. I did a quick transform and the Valk was OK. I had a heart attack when I opened the styrofoam part of the package and saw the tow cabes where the gun usually was. I thought I got a dude that was packaged without a rifle. Then I glanced over at the stand package and saw the gun.

Hey Veef, How about a shapeways project to keep the wings tucked together instead of the card stock?

Assuming you want transformable toys, you can try the Revoltech 3 form action figures or the Toynami 1/100 ones. The Revoltech is listed as discontinued but they show up once in a while as available and on sale: http://www.hlj.com/product/KYD010179 The Toynami ones are easier to find in the US, I have seen them in a number of comic book stores, here is an example of what they look like: http://www.toynk.com/c=Sfze0f9OlZ1HqCtaFLw4ZiMGp/results.cgis?catalog=COMMON&keywords=macross&x=0&y=0 Non-transformable toys have a few options also include Yamato's GNU line and the super posable Revoltechs. Toynami also has some not transformable action figures. If you have quality comic book store near you, you may be able to find them there.

Dude, you just missed a great sale at hobby link Japan. I paid $120 shipped for the VF-11B. Keep an eye on the hobby link Japan sale thread in case it comes up again.

New pics are up: http://www.gunjap.net/site/?p=75481 This one caught my eye:

I don't need more than one, I don't need more than one, I don't need more than one...

I'll take one too...

Sigh... If only the bank accounts hadn't self destructed last week. I had the go-ahead from the wife but not anymore. Did a quick tally of the things I wanted and it only came out to $1060... I would have saved at least $600... how often can you say that?

The Yamato offerings at Shizuoika Hobby show has a link to a set of photo etch detail parts for the 1/60 VF-1. http://www.yamato-toys.com/items/detail.php?gid=1842 From the google translation: This commodity is sold in limited edition only OnlineShop Yamato. Will not be sold in general stores and WEB SHOP, please note. Is continued for the third item in the kit unpainted (finished goods), enjoy to model the complete transformation VF-1 1/60 unpainted version. Detail around the nose up around the cockpit, you can add details such as the tip of the gun representation laser head and intake air shutter, in the finished product of ABS and PVC can not be fully reproduced. ■ Product size: W125 × H50 (mm) (mm) W160 × H120: ■ Package Size [Note] ※ This product is an advanced Detail Up Parts for VF-1 series complete transformation 1/60. Contact to us for processing methods such as coating adhesion and etching of common parts please. ※ For this product, please note after opening the customer support is refusing. ※ The only compatible with the "paint kit" no nose radome parts. If the complete transformation VF-1 1/60 version of the finished product, so we are bonded parts nose tip is not responsible for damage caused by machining, etc. Here you can not assume the responsibility. Please acknowledge it beforehand. ※ Please note that there other, etc. If the trouble regarding damage caused by processing of body-complete transformation VF-1 1/60 can not support this product and customer.

Bandai QC Rep: Hurry up and show me the prototype! China Factory Boss: Well sir, here it is in airplane mode, if you wait a second I will transform it for you to inspect... Bandai QC Rep: No Time!!! I have my happy endings massage in 15 minutes...It is good enough... China Factory Boss: But sir, we have to have to approve the final colors Bandai QC Rep: No Time!!! Only suckers will buy this Macross crap anyways, where are my Gundam toys....

New picture from GA Graphic:

Retail prices do not apply to Ebay. The retail price for the Bandai valks is 14,000 yen, roughly 173 USD at today's exchange rate. The market price (what they are going for on Ebay) is between $300-$350 (plus shipping) depending on which one you want. In most people's opinion, they are not worth that price. You are better off buying an overpriced Yamato release than paying the Ebay price. Hopefully, the Bandai valks will be re-released at some point in the future. Keep tabs on the threads in this forum and hopefully you can get one when they are available for pre-order. For example, I got my VF-25F on pre-order for $158 USD shipped.

Easy solution, just buy a plane ticket to Hawaii... you can save on shipping also.

If anyone is still looking for a VF-25S renewal, there is a toy store in Hawaii that has them at a ... less-than-ebay price: http://toysnjoys.com/macross_figuresbandai.html I am not sure how many they have left, but they offer flat rate US shipping.

Here is a new image of Ozma's full armor pack:

Bandai was one of the main sponsors for Macross Frontier. That is why they have the license and why Yamato will probably never get it.

I have less problems getting the Tamashi Web exclusive stuff than the "regular" stuff. I lucked out on an VF-25f but nothing since.

well, I got as far as adding one to my cart on Hobby Search. In the time it took me to log in, they were all gone.

You can also try out the Wave 1/100 VF-1 kits. I am pretty sure those do not need glue but they do come with decals, not stickers so you will need to help him with that. If you get a Battroid and fighter, you can convert them into a Gerwalk.

BBTS just sent me an email the following email: Hi - We have just learned that our order of this item was severely allocated by our vendor for this run and as a result we will have to wait for a successive run to fill our remaining orders. The item was the victim of a mass shortage in Japan, and our order was cut back to just 15% of our original quantity. We will keep your order on file until the next reissue of this item. You have our profuse apologies for the inconvenience, and we thank you for your order. Thanks www.bigbadtoystore.com so those of us waiting for BBTS, we are out of luck.

Ahh, reminds me of the time I cannibalized my G1 Jetfire super parts for a school project, and got a better grade for the poster I did as filler material. If I knew then what I know now...

Actually, that is from a Hong Kong based garage kit manufacturer. Their website is http://www.g-system-shop.com/

It looks like Hasegawa will be releasing 1/48 photo-etch upgrades for the VF-1 and YF-19: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UVRoF5dMi7U/TLlicdHrdxI/AAAAAAAAT8s/qHxhP-uymTM/s1600/7.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UVRoF5dMi7U/TLliepWLtWI/AAAAAAAAT8w/6i6H-Nhgjao/s1600/9.jpg

Tokyo Hunter had them listed. I never did any business with these guys so I don't know what commission they charge: http://tokyohunter.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-05-11T01%3A35%3A00%2B09%3A00&max-results=10 It was listed towards the bottom of this page on his blog. Oops, just noticed that the pre-order period ended on June 14th. Sorry...

In terms of metallic paints, here is a quick article about the Alclad metal paints: http://www.swannysmodels.com/Alclad.html I think the tips here should apply to other metal-type paints.